Partition migrants were ‘displaced’ not ‘refugees’, says RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat

NAGPUR: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat said that those who migrated to India during the Partition after leaving behind generations of wealth, property, businesses and farmland should not be called ‘refugees’ but ‘displaced persons’, asserting that they were ‘struggling warriors’ who chose their motherland and faith over material possessions.

Addressing the 75th year celebration of Sindhu Education Society in Nagpur on Wednesday, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief said the term “refugee” was wrongly used for those who came to India after Partition. “They had left behind generations of accumulated wealth, property, businesses and farms. They were displaced, but they were not refugees. They came here out of love for their motherland and their faith. They were struggling warriors,” Bhagwat said.

He said those families did not choose careers or wealth, but instead chose the nation and their religion, adding that circumstances change with time but values remain constant. Bhagwat also said politics often breeds jealousy when someone succeeds, remarking that “the character of politics is such that when someone does good, there are always people who become jealous.”

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat remarks on Pakistan :

“we are not Hitler, we have to keep some door open” pic.twitter.com/RBzFdnRpm9

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Speaking on education, he said that education that helps earn a livelihood is important but not mandatory for success, adding that many people have become successful without formal education and later employed highly educated individuals. He said the real purpose of education is to develop wisdom and values, with learning beginning at home.

Urging people to remain resilient in the face of adversity, Bhagwat said one should never give up before circumstances or destiny and should continue striving despite setbacks. Referring to the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, he said perseverance and courage ultimately lead to success. He added that the true purpose of human life is to live for others and to inspire goodness through one’s actions rather than merely preaching it.

Concluding his address, the RSS chief said that if we are to give an ‘Aim in Life’ to the entire human race, it is this: do not live for yourself, live for your own. Live with integrity yourself and teach integrity to everyone else–not by preaching, but by your actions. This is considered the true way of life in our culture. (ANI)